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There are a lot of products out there that make your life easier. Some, however, are a little sillier than others — so much that they seem like joke products. Here are a few products that sound crazy, but actually rule.
Sleep Phones
It’s hard to imagine something sillier than a music-playing headband you wear while you sleep, but they exist — and are quite popular. Sleep Phones won’t give you the highest quality sound in the world, but if you prefer to fall asleep to music, they’re far more comfortable than normal headphones. While they’re a bit expensive, they might be perfect for you. There’s also a wireless version (版本) if you prefer.
Onion Goggles
If cutting onion brings on the waterworks no matter what you try, it’s time for desperate measures. We tested a bunch of methods for avoiding onion tears, and found the best solutions came down to cutting the onion under a vent (通风孔), or wearing these stylish and awesome goggles.
Lock Laces
There’re some great ways to tie your shoes better, but if you long for the laceless shoes of your childhood days, Lock Laces are a pretty good choice. They’re basically elastic (有弹性的) laces that remove the need to tie your shoes. Sure, people will make fun of you, but you can make fun of them after they trip over their own untied laces. Or you can make your own slip-on shoes with elastic tubing.
2D-Glasses
Hate 3D-movies, but have to go to one? The difference between 2D-glasses and 3D-glasses lies in their lenses (镜片). Each lens of 2D-glasses blocks the same picture, so each eye gets the same picture, while each lens of 3D-glasses blocks a different picture, so each eye gets a different picture which the brain interprets as 3D. Now you have a pair of glasses that can save you from the headache caused by wearing 3D-glasses which are popular in our movie theaters. You can buy them or make a pair for yourself.
1.What do we know about Sleep Phones?
A. There are two versions.
B. They’re comfortable but unhealthy.
C. They give you the best quality sound.
D. They’re cheaper than other headphones.
2.The underlined part “brings on the waterworks” in the text probably means _____.
A. makes your eyes water
B. makes your fingers hurt
C. destroys your water pipes
D. adds to your washing work
3.What is the advantage of Lock Laces?
A. They are strong and lasting.
B. They help you walk comfortably.
C. They are stylish and eco-friendly.
D. They save you from tying your shoes.
4.Compared with 3D-glasses, 2D-glasses _____.
A. are cheaper and thinner
B. won’t give you a headache
C. let you see a different picture
D. are more popular in movie theaters
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There are a lot of products out there that make your life easier. Some, however, are a little sillier than others — so much that they seem like joke products. Here are a few products that sound crazy, but actually rule.
Sleep Phones
It’s hard to imagine something sillier than a music-playing headband you wear while you sleep, but they exist — and are quite popular. Sleep Phones won’t give you the highest quality sound in the world, but if you prefer to fall asleep to music, they’re far more comfortable than normal headphones. While they’re a bit expensive, they might be perfect for you. There’s also a wireless version (版本) if you prefer.
Onion Goggles
If cutting onion brings on the waterworks no matter what you try, it’s time for desperate measures. We tested a bunch of methods for avoiding onion tears, and found the best solutions came down to cutting the onion under a vent (通风孔), or wearing these stylish and awesome goggles.
Lock Laces
There’re some great ways to tie your shoes better, but if you long for the laceless shoes of your childhood days, Lock Laces are a pretty good choice. They’re basically elastic (有弹性的) laces that remove the need to tie your shoes. Sure, people will make fun of you, but you can make fun of them after they trip over their own untied laces. Or you can make your own slip-on shoes with elastic tubing.
2D-Glasses
Hate 3D-movies, but have to go to one? The difference between 2D-glasses and 3D-glasses lies in their lenses (镜片). Each lens of 2D-glasses blocks the same picture, so each eye gets the same picture, while each lens of 3D-glasses blocks a different picture, so each eye gets a different picture which the brain interprets as 3D. Now you have a pair of glasses that can save you from the headache caused by wearing 3D-glasses which are popular in our movie theaters. You can buy them or make a pair for yourself.
1.What do we know about Sleep Phones?
A. There are two versions.
B. They’re comfortable but unhealthy.
C. They give you the best quality sound.
D. They’re cheaper than other headphones.
2.The underlined part “brings on the waterworks” in the text probably means _____.
A. makes your eyes water
B. makes your fingers hurt
C. destroys your water pipes
D. adds to your washing work
3.What is the advantage of Lock Laces?
A. They are strong and lasting.
B. They help you walk comfortably.
C. They are stylish and eco-friendly.
D. They save you from tying your shoes.
4.Compared with 3D-glasses, 2D-glasses _____.
A. are cheaper and thinner
B. won’t give you a headache
C. let you see a different picture
D. are more popular in movie theaters
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Kitchen Products Thai Will Make Your Life a Lot Easier
♦ Hanging Trash Bag
Speaking of clever bag that will change your world, how many times have you cut off loads of vegetables and tried to clean up the messy waste, only to make half of it accidentally drop on the floor? This hanging trash bag attachment makes clean-up super easy, so you’ll never end up with smelly chopped (切碎的) onions all over your floor again.
Available on Amazon, $ 6.99
♦ Dream Farm Spoon
How many times have you struggled for just that last little bit of something out of a jar or dish? This all-purpose cooking spoon helps scrap (刮擦) the edges of any pan, bowl, or strangely-shaped container with zero effort, so you’ll always get that last bit, every time.
Available on Amazon, $20.40
♦ Flex Pot Clip
For those of us who’d rather not balance our serving spoon or wooden spoon on the edge of the pot unsteadily, or rest it on the counter where it’ll definitely make a mess, allow me to introduce you to the Flex Pot Clip. Attach it to the edge of your pot so you can keep your counters clean and your hands free. It’s heat-resistant and dishwasher safe!
Available on Amazon, $7.88
♦ Reusable Silicone Lids
These are useful to cover your food before putting it in the fridge if you often have leftovers. These silicone lids are flexible, reusable, arid airtight, allowing you to leave your food right in its original dish or bowl and keep it fresh for days. They’re clear, eco-friendly, and super easy to store, since they hardly take up any space.
Available on Amazon, $15.97
1.What is the use of the Hanging Trash Bag?
A. To reduce waste of food. B. To make containers clean.
C. To collect kitchen waste. D. To make food easy to store.
2.Where can you fix a Flex Pot Clip?
A. On the edge of a pot. B. In a dishwasher.
C. On the counter. D. In a comer.
3.Which of the following products can make the food remain fresh?
A. Flex Pot Clip. B. Hanging Trash Bag.
C. Dream Farm Spoon. D. Reusable Silicone Lids.
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There are so many interesting and creative hobbies that can improve your life and make you smarter.
1. As the saying goes, reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are. It enriches your knowledge and makes you feel better about yourself.
Learning a new language is a most unique and challenging hobby. It enables your brain to perform better, improves your memory and reduces the risk of brain decline. 2.
Playing chess makes you smarter by exercising both sides of your brain. 3. And it helps improve your memory and builds your self-confidence.
Writing makes your brain work. 4. Writing things down can improve your emotions and your ability to communicate with others and it will make you a more interesting person.
Exercising regularly keeps both your body and your brain functioning. A good blood circulation in your body means a good blood circulation of your brain, which means an increased brain function. 5.
Learning to play the piano or any other musical instrument teaches you patience and perseverance because it takes a lot of effort and a lot of time.
A. It teaches you to think.
B. Smiling will make you healthier and look cooler.
C. Moreover, a new language means new opportunities.
D. Positive thinking can help you to do your best each day.
E. Besides, exercising reduces stress and helps you sleep better.
F. Playing the game raises your IQ and encourages your creativity.
G. Reading teaches you new things about new places and new people.
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There are a lot of differences in life in the US that you can only learn by living here. However, we will try to introduce you to some of the more important cultural differences.
Personal Space
When two people are talking to each other, they tend to stand a distance apart. Each person has an invisible boundary (界限) around their body into which other people may not come.
Interestingly，the average personal distance varies from culture to culture. Americans tend to require more personal space than in other cultures. So if you try to get too close to an American during your conversation, he or she will feel that you are “in their face” and will try to back away.
Try to avoid physical contact while you are speaking, since this may also lead to discomfort.
Tipping(小费)
Restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill, so you should tip the waiter 15% of the total bill. If service is slow or particular bad, some Americans will tip only 10%. If service is particularly good, it is appropriate to tip 20%. If service is so bad that you will never eat in the restaurant again, leave two cents. It tells the waiter that you haven’t forgotten to leave a tip. Tipping is only appropriate in restaurants which offer table service. You do not tip the cashier in a fast food restaurant.
Gestures
To wave goodbye or hello to someone, raise your hand and wave it from side to side, not front to back. Wave the whole hand, not just the fingers. Waving the hand front to back or the fingers up and down means “no”, “stop”, or “go away’. Holding your hand up with the palm facing forward but no movement means “stop”.
If you want to point at an object, extend the index finger and use it to point at the object. It is not polite to point at people.
Although showing your fist with the thumb up or your open hand with the tips of the thumb and index finger together forming an “O” means “OK”， these are stereotypes (老套). Americans understand these gestures, but they are mainly used by actors in movies, not in real life.
1. If an American to whom you are speaking backs away a little, you’d better __________.
A. not try to close the gap B. stop talking with him or her
C. back away too D. ask him or her what happened
2.Which of the following statements is TRUE when you eat out in the US?
A. The tip always ranges from 10% to 20% of the total bill.
B. You needn’t leave a tip if you will never eat in the restaurant.
C. It’s unnecessary to tip the waiter in a restaurant.
D. Tipping is not necessary in fast food restaurants.
3.Which of the following gestures is not used in Americans’ daily life?
A B. C. D.
. 
4.We can learn from the passage that in the US ___________________.
A. it’s natural to touch each other in a conversation.
B. it’s polite to leave a tip though the service is bad.
C. there is only one gesture meaning “stop”.
D. Americans use the same gesture to point at people and objects.
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Plan on traveling around the USA? There are a number of outstanding websites that can make your American dream come true.
www.101usaholidays.co.uk
This is the latest offering that features 101 holiday ideas to the USA. It’s a diverse selection, ranging from touring in the footsteps of Martin Luther King to a golfing break in Arizona and a cycling and wine-tasting trip in California’s Napa Valley. Narrow down what you’re looking for—whether by price, region, theme and who will be traveling—and then just the photos of the relevant holidays remain on view. It’s a really clever design.
http://byways.org
The National Scenic Byways Program covers 150 memorable roads. Some are natural scenic routes, such as Route 1 along the California coast. Others focus on history (such as Route 66) or man-made attractions (the Las Vegas Strip). For each, you’re provided with a map telling the route’s length and how long is allowed.
www.oyster.com
This is the best website for reviews of hotels in US cities and tourist sites. There are photos of each hotel. Importantly, these are not promotional photos provided by the hotels, but more honest and revealing ones taken by inspectors. From the 243 hotels reviewed in New York, you can narrow down what you are looking for by locations, facilities and styles, or just pick out a selection of the best.
http://seaworldparks.com
SeaWorld in San Diego can make dreams come true, but the price is not affordable for the majority of people. So turn to long-established http://seaworldparks.com, giving big discounts on tickets, hotel and dining at SeaWorld.
1.The text is probably from _________.
A. a science report B. a news article
C. a travel brochure D. a book review
2.Travel ideas for wine lovers are available at _________.
A. www.101usaholidays.co.uk B. http://byways.org
C. www.oyster.com D. http://seaworldparks.com
3.What can be inferred from the text?
A. You can see some man-made attractions driving along Route 66.
B. The National Scenic Byways Program covers all American roads.
C. Photos on www.oyster.com can be trusted by tourists.
D. http://seaworldparks.com is a newly established website.
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How to Make the Most of Your Time
Time management is important in our daily life. There never seems to be enough hours in the day to accomplish all you need to do. Here are some tips that might be of some help to you.
1.Set up a plan. Go for a week at a time, and prioritize the most important ones. Include things you want to accomplish. Focus (关注) mostly on the things that are important to you.
2.Control your stress. No matter what kind of pressure mounts on you, try to keep cool. Stressing-out can lead to an early breakdown , which is definitely counter-productive (事与愿违) when you have a list of things to do. It’s easier to take a 10-minute break and cool off than work all week with built up stress.
3.Shut your door. When working under a schedule, perform your important tasks with your door shut to get them done. This will ensure a better quality time to get what needs to be done.
4.Focus on one thing at a time. Forget trying to multi-task! You will lose concentration and it will take you longer to accomplish what you set out to do.
5.Just say “no”. If you are constantly interrupted, and you really don’t have the time to help out, just say “no”. You’re only one person, and you can’t save the world by yourself!
6.Stop wasting time on the phone. While talking on the phone, keep your conversations short, and to the point and you’ll waste much less time.
7.Be realistic. You can only do what you can do. Don’t set out to accomplish the impossible. Do your best, but keep realistic expectations of yourself.
8.Relax. The most important thing is remember to take time to relax, and regroup. You need a break every now and then to keep working efficiently. Even if it’s a 10-minute walk, get away from your list and get refreshed.
As families today get busier and busier, it’s important to your own mental health to keep things on track. Don’t delay; get your life on order now.
1.What does the underlined word “prioritize” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A. choose something by thinking carefully.
B. recognize the difference between things.
C. put many things in order of importance
D. get rid of something that is unwanted
2.We should avoid stressing out because ________________.
A. it may cause us to fail to work efficiently
B. it may limit the speed to get things done
C. we don’t have enough energy to keep working
D. we are supposed to have a break while working
3.Which statement would the author agree to?
A. Try multi-tasks, and we can get more done.
B. It is impolite to refuse to help others at work.
C. Having breaks regularly may delay our tasks.
D. It is wise to be aware of what we can achieve.
4.By writing the text, the author would like to _______________.
A. ask readers to share their time management skills.
B. offer some advice on how to make full use of time
C. invite readers to discuss how to improve life quality
D. persuade readers to spend less time on daily routine
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It is an interesting old document but there are a lot of words I can”t .
| A．make up | B．made up of | C．make out | D．made of |
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There are moments in life 1. you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug （拥抱） them for real．
When the door of happiness closes, 2. opens, but often we look so long at the closed door 3. we don’t see the one which has been opened for us．
Don’t go for looks; they can deceive（欺骗）．Don’t go for wealth; even that fades（消退）away．Go for someone 4. makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day bright．
Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be 5. you want to be．
The 6. （happy） of people don’t 7. （necessary）have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that 8. （come）along their way．The brightest future will always be based 9. a forgotten past．
When you were born, you were crying and everyone 10. you was smiling．
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There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough difficulties to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, and you can’t go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
Please send this message to those people who mean something to you, to those who have touched your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you really need it, to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down, to those who you want to let know that you appreciate their friendship. And if you don’t, don’t worry; nothing bad will happen to you. You will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone’s day with this message.
1.The tone used in the passage is____ .
A. discouraging B. negative
C. positive D. critical
2.Which statement does the writer probably agree with?
A. If you want to cry, cry. B. Smile in face of death.
C. The best or nothing. D. Nothing is impossible.
3.After reading this passage, a reader is most likely to____.
A. smile and then ignore it B. think about life’s hardship
C. exchange shoes with a friend D. share it with some of his friends.
4.According to the passage, we can make ourselves strong_____.
A. by dreaming what we want to dream B. after times of attempts and failures
C. so long as we are full of hopes D. if we try to make more friends
